Core Principles of Soil Mechanics

by S. K. Shukla

Overview

Core Principles of Soil Mechanics is a practical guide to the key concepts and latest developments in the field of soil mechanics. It explores the physical properties of soils and the behaviour of soil masses subjected to loads, as well as soil phases, classification and characteristics, stresses and fluid flow, consolidation, compressibility and compaction, shear strength, lateral earth pressure, slope stability and bearing capacity. These core principles can be applied to soil-like materials, such as coal ashes and mine tailings, and are explored using real-life scenarios and worked examples.

Produced by the Institution of Civil Engineers, ICE Textbooks offer clear, concise and practical information on the major principles of civil and structural engineering. They are an indispensable companion to undergraduate audiences, providing students with:

• A comprehensive introduction to core engineering subjects
• Real-life case studies and worked examples
• Practice questions, exercises and supplementary online solutions available at: www.icetextbooks.com
• Key learning aims, revision points and chapter summaries
• Further reading suggestions

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780727758477
Publisher:	Emerald Publishing Limited
Publication date:	05/22/2014
Series:	ICE Textbooks , #12
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.70(d)

Table of Contents

Preface vii

About the author vix

01 Basic description of soil 1

1.1 introduction 1

1.2 Phases in a soil mass 2

1.3 Phase relationships 4

1.4 Phase inter-relationships 10

1.5 Weathering and soil formation 12

1.6 Clay mineralogy 13

1.7 Types of soil and soil structure 17

References 20

Further reading 21

02 Particle size and shape, consistency and classification of soil 23

2.1 Introduction 23

2.2 Particle size analysis of soil 23

2.3 Soil particle shape 29

2.4 Consistency of soil 30

2.5 Soil classification and description 37

References 43

Further reading 44

03 Stresses within soil 45

3.1 Introduction 45

3.2 Concept of stress 45

3.3 Effective stress principle 47

3.4 Soil capillarity and effective stress 52

3.5 Coefficient of lateral stress 55

3.6 Stresses within soil induced by applied loads 56

References 64

Further reading 64

04 Fluid flow through soil 65

4.1 Introduction 65

4.2 Nature and concept of fluid flow 65

4.3 Darcy's law and flow velocity 69

4.4 Determination of permeability 72

4.5 Permeability of stratified soil 76

4.6 Seepage force and its effect on effective stress 77

4.7 Basic flow equation 81

4.8 Flow net 84

References 89

Further reading 90

05 Consolidation and compressibility of soil 91

5.1 Introduction 91

5.2 Basic stress-strain relationships 92

5.3 Confined compression test 96

5.4 Mechanics of 1D consolidation 105

5.5 Terzaghi's 1D consolidation theory 109

5.6 Determination of c_v 115

5.7 Secondary consolidation 115

5.8 Computation of settlement 116

References 122

Further reading 122

06 Shear strength of soil 123

6.1 Introduction 123

6.2 Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion 123

6.3 Representation of state of stress at a point 124

6.4 Fundamentals of shear tests 129

6.5 Direct shear test 132

6.6 Triaxial compression test 135

6.7 Unconfined compression test 142

6.8 Vane shear test 144

References 146

Further reading 147

07 Compaction of soil 149

7.1 Introduction 149

7.2 Laboratory compaction 150

7.3 Factors affecting compaction 157

7.4 Effect of compaction on engineering behaviour 159

7.5 Field compaction 159

References 165

Further reading 166

08 Lateral earth pressure, slope stability and bearing capacity of soil 167

8.1 Introduction 167

8.2 Lateral earth pressure 168

8.3 Slope stability 175

8.4 Bearing capacity 180

References 188

Further reading 189

Index 191